Events/Training
Federated Farmers understands the importance and benefits of training as an integral part of furthering the development and growth of agriculture in New Zealand. By providing a range of training opportunities for members the Federation aims to help businesses and staff to become more productive.
Training
Leadership courses
The Federated Farmers leadership programme offers two levels of training for members.
- Level one, Getting Your Feet Wet - Members are introduced to the Federation's structure and resources. Through presentations by industry experts and politicians participants learn about agricultural politics, advocacy and lobbying.
- Level two, Advanced Leadership Skills - The course focuses on public speaking, managing meetings, dealing with media and practical aspects of agricultural leadership in the provinces.
Both courses are held in Wellington and run over a two-day period. The programme is highly interactive. Information is delivered workshop style to suit hands-on types. To register contact your provincial president or call Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646 or email: receptionwgton@fedfarm.org.nz.
Employment seminars
Federated Farmers in conjunction with employment law experts provides informative question-an-answer style seminars. Using real examples participants receive a practical set of guidelines for dealing with a range of employee and workplace issues. Seminar topics include:
- Hiring staff
- Employment agreements
- Dealing with misconduct and serious misconduct
- Managing poor performers
- Redundancy and restructuring
- Incapacity, illness and dealing with ACC
- Accommodation issues
- Four weeks holiday, holiday pay, sick leave, bereavement leave, parental leave
- KiwiSaver
Be better informed and more confident about employing staff.
Farm safety
Agriculture is a dangerous occupation. On average one farmer is killed every two weeks and 11 farmers are seriously injured everyday. Federated Farmers in conjunction with ACC, Agriculture ITO and Telford Polytechnic bring you FarmSafe. FarmSafe offers a series programmes specifically tailored to rural industry.
For more information call 0800 545 747 or visit FarmSafe.
Agriculture ITO Courses
Agriculture ITO offers all Federated Farmers' members the opportunity to claim a $40 rebate on their joining or renewal fees.
Agriculture ITO industry training is designed to equip people of all levels of experience who are employed in the dairy, sheep, beef, agrichemical supply, fencing, pest control, pork, poultry, rural servicing and wool harvesting sectors with the knowledge and skills they need to enhance productivity and profitability. It is also designed to improve health and safety in the workplace and increase employee job satisfaction and staff retention.
For a full list courses visit Agriculture ITO.
To receive the rebate you will need to notify Federated Farmers after you have enrolled on a course. Federated Farmers will provide your rebate once Agriculture ITO has confirmed your enrolment.
Scholarships
New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme helps develop emerging agribusiness leaders so as to shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs.
Through residential workshops, seminars and personal study over an 11-month period, twenty-four men and women who live and work in rural New Zealand meet to:
- develop solid leadership skills;
- learn how political, cultural, social, economic and physical forces impact on New Zealand agribusiness; and,
- establish networks with leaders from New Zealand and beyond.
Find out more about the New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme here.
Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust
Each year up to three scholarships are awarded by the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust.
These are New Zealand's most valuable and prestigious farming awards.
The awards offer the opportunity for overseas travel, study of the latest developments in a number of leading agricultural countries, and provide an entrée to leaders and decision makers not accessible to the ordinary traveller.
Find out more about the Nuffield Farming Scholorship here.
Exchange programmes
Federated Farmers and AgriVenture offer opportunities for young people aged between 18 and 30 to travel and work in 12 different countries. The practical aspects of the trip such as tickets, work permits and insurance are taken care of. You will stay with host families who are carefully selected and approved.
Host families provide accommodation, help with training and a standard allowance. AgriVenture schemes are based on a variety of flexible, proven programmes.
Awards
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
Federated Farmers supports excellence within the dairy sector through the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. This competition gives contestants the opportunity to prove themselves both on a regional and national stage.
There are three categories:
- Sharemilker of the year
- Farm manager of the year
- Dairy trainee of the year
The competition provides contestants with financial and business credibility, a headstart in the employment market, creates network opportunities and an opportunity to win prize money. Enter awards site here.
Federated Farmers Rural Photography Award 2008
Applications have now opened for the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Rural Photography Award 2008, organised in conjunction with the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.
This award is open to any New Zealand-based journalist, photo-journalist, or photographer and is not restricted to NZGAJC members. However, an entry fee of $25 is required for non-members. The prize is $750.
A copy of the entry form can be obtained by contacting Sue Miller, 112 Pope Street, Camborne, Wellington 5026.
Phone 04 233 1842, email: kotuku.media@xtra.co.
Entries to be sent to:
Mail: The Awards Administrator, NZGAJC, P O Box 54 234, Wellington 5247.
Courier: Sue Miller, 112 Pope Street, Camborne, Wellington 5026.
Phone 04 233 1842, email: kotuku.media@xtra.co.nz
Lincoln University Federated Farmers of New Zealand Prize
This prize was established in 2006 by Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) to support a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the field of Farm Management.
Regulations
- The prize shall be known as the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Prize.
- One prize shall be awarded to the student enrolled in one of either the Bachelor of Commerce (Agricultural Management), the Bachelor of Agricultural Science or the Bachelor of Agriculture degrees who gains the highest aggregate marks in Principals of Farm Management (MGMT 201) and Farm Management Analysis and Planning (MGMT 316).
- The award shall be automatic following the examiners meeting in June each year.
- The student must be eligible to graduate in the year immediately following the award.
- The value of the prize shall be $200 of book vouchers. The prize may be presented by a person nominated by the president of Federated Farmers of NZ Inc.
- The prize shall not be awarded if, in the opinion of the Divisional Directors, there is no student attaining the required standard.
